Robert Morris (2-3, 1-0 NEC) saw their two game winning streak come to an end in blowout fashion to Eastern Kentucky (3-2, 1-0 UAC) on Saturday afternoon. While the Colonials offense did not show up, only scoring one touchdown in the 31-7 loss to the Colonels, neither did their defense.
The Colonials defense allowed 513 total yards of opposing offense, 6.6 yards per play, four touchdowns and a 12 for 19 conversion rate on third downs. If you combine both of those factors and most games will result in a blowout, just like this one.
The Colonels started the game quick as they used just eight plays togo 75 yards for the game’s opening touchdown. The drive was capped off on a 6-yard touchdown rush by Joshua Carter.
The Colonials looked to answer this score with one of their own and started their first drive strong with an 8 yard run by Tyvon Edmonds Jr. but the drive stalled after two straight incompletions following the first down run.
Even though they failed on their first offensive drive, the Colonials managed to tie the game on their third offensive drive. The drive started with a huge Colonials punt return that would have started them on the Colonels 35-yard line but multiple penalties pushed them all the way back to their own 30-yard line.
Regardless, the Colonials put together a complete drive and went 70 yards to the end zone. The score came on a double pass that saw quarterback Anthony Chiccitt hit Shawn Charles as he motioned through the back field and then Charles found Noah Robinson in the corner of the end zone for the 19-yard touchdown.
Just before halftime, the Colonels re-claimed the lead with a 23-yard field goal by Patrick Nations. The Colonials entered halftime trailing 10-7.
Carter started the second half by scoring his second touchdown of the day for the Colonels, this one from 18 yards away. This score gave the Colonels a two possession lead.
Carter finished the day with a game-high 19 rushes for 123 yards and two rushing touchdowns.
The Colonials kept it to that two possession deficit for the next 10 minutes but then the flood gates opened on their defense. With just under four minutes left in the third quarter, the Colonels quarterback Matt Morrissey found a wide open Dequan Stanley for a 57-yard touchdown.
Then, to start the fourth quarter, the Colonels struck again on a 9-yard connection between Morrissey and Bryant Johnson Jr., which put the game realistically our of reach for the Colonials.
Morrissey finished the game with a game-high 265 passing yards and two passing scores on 17 of 29 passing. He also added 53 rushing yards with his legs.
Leading 31-7, the Colonels just tried to burn the clock and let the Colonials try to score again, which they could not do so the game ended at that same score.
The Colonials enter the bye-week with a 2-3 overall record but are 1-0 in NEC play which still puts them in good position to compete for the conference title. The Colonials next game is back at Joe Walton Stadium on Oct. 12 against Delaware State.
